Bulkhead Partition Design, Seating Arrangement and Method for Using the Same

Abstract

A bulkhead partition for a passenger cabin of an aircraft includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion forming a compartment that provides additional storage and/or foot space for passengers seated in the row of seats directly behind the bulkhead partition. Related passenger seating arrangements and methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A passenger seating arrangement for a passenger cabin of an aircraft, the passenger seating arrangement comprising:
 a first row of seats in a forward section of the passenger cabin;   a second row of seats disposed behind the first row of seats in a rearward section of the passenger cabin;   a bulkhead partition disposed between the first row of seats and the second row of seats; and   wherein the bulkhead partition comprises:
 an upper section that extends upwardly between the first row of seats and the second row of seats; 
 a lower section disposed below the upper section, the lower section extending forwardly from the upper section and underneath the first row of seats; the lower section forming a compartment underneath the first row of seats; 
 wherein the lower section comprises:
 a forward compartment wall disposed forward of the compartment and forwardly bounding the compartment; 
 a first compartment lateral wall disposed on a first lateral side (of the compartment and bounding the first lateral side of the compartment; 
 an upper compartment wall disposed above the compartment and upwardly bounding the compartment; wherein the upper compartment wall extends from, and connects, the upper section to the forward compartment wall; and 
 a rear opening providing access to the compartment from the second row of seats. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein upper section is straight. 
     
     
         3 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the upper section is affixed to a ceiling of the passenger cabin. 
     
     
         4 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 :
 wherein the forward compartment wall is solid; and   wherein the first compartment lateral wall is webbing.   
     
     
         5 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the lower section further comprises a second compartment lateral wall disposed on a second lateral side of the compartment and bounding the second lateral side of the compartment, the second lateral side being opposite the first lateral side. 
     
     
         6 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first row of seats comprises a plurality of seats, including a first front seat; and   wherein both the upper compartment wall and the forward compartment wall are wider than the first front seat.   
     
     
         7 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 :
 wherein the lower section further comprises a base compartment wall affixed to a floor of the passenger cabin;   wherein the base compartment wall extends horizontally and rearwardly from the forward compartment wall; and   wherein the base compartment wall is disposed below the compartment.   
     
     
         8 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the upper section is fitted with amenities that face and serve the second row of seats. 
     
     
         9 . The passenger seating arrangement of  claim 8 :
 wherein the upper section is fitted with a number of like amenities equal in number to a number of seats in the second row of seats; and   wherein the amenities include one or more of: tray tables, video monitors, and storage pockets.   
     
     
         10 . An aircraft comprising the passenger seating arrangement of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A bulkhead partition for a passenger cabin of an aircraft, the passenger cabin having a first row of seats and a second row of seats disposed behind the first row of seats, the bulkhead partition comprising:
 an upper section that extends upwardly;   a lower section disposed below the upper section, the lower section extending forwardly from the upper section and comprising:
 a compartment that extends forwardly; 
 a forward compartment wall disposed forward of the compartment and forwardly bounding the compartment; 
 a first compartment lateral wall disposed on a first lateral side of the compartment and bounding the first lateral side of the compartment; 
 an upper compartment wall disposed above the compartment and upwardly bounding the compartment; wherein the upper compartment wall extends from, and connects, the upper section to the forward compartment wall; 
   wherein the compartment is rearwardly open at a rear opening; and   wherein the lower section is configured to extend beneath the first row of seats when the bulkhead partition is disposed between first row of seats and the second row of seats.   
     
     
         12 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 , wherein the upper section is straight. 
     
     
         13 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 , wherein upper section is rearwardly curved. 
     
     
         14 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 , wherein the first compartment lateral wall is solid. 
     
     
         15 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 , wherein the first compartment lateral wall is webbing. 
     
     
         16 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 , wherein the lower section further comprises a second compartment lateral wall disposed on a second lateral side of the compartment and bounding the second lateral side of the compartment, the second lateral side being opposite the first lateral side. 
     
     
         17 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 , wherein the upper section is configured to be affixed to a ceiling of the passenger cabin. 
     
     
         18 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 :
 wherein the lower section further comprises a base compartment wall configured to be affixed to a floor of the passenger cabin;   wherein the base compartment wall extends horizontally and rearwardly from the forward compartment wall; and   wherein the base compartment wall is disposed below the compartment.   
     
     
         19 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 11 , wherein the upper section is fitted with amenities that face and serve the second row of seats. 
     
     
         20 . The bulkhead partition of  claim 19 :
 wherein the upper section is fitted with a number of like amenities equal in number to a number of seats in the second row of seats;   wherein the amenities include one or more of: tray tables, video monitors, and storage pockets.